Is Marriage Obsolete? CBS report.

[OceanAnnie]

Interesting article and video.

Marriage Obsolete?

Pew Study: Americans Marrying Less, and Not For Same Reasons as Ozzie and Harriet

Not only are more marriages on the rocks these days, so is marriage itself, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.

A survey of 2,691 Americans done in association with Time magazine found that nearly four in 10 Americans think marriage is becoming obsolete. That's an 11 percent spike since 1978, when Time asked the same question.

"Marriage is still very important in this country, but it doesn't dominate family life like it used to," Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at John Hopkins University, told the Associated Press.

Younger people are leading the way in redefining what marriage means. Forty-four percent of those between the ages of 18 and 29 saw marriage as obsolete, compared to 32 percent of those 65 and older.

Other groups more likely to see marriage as a fading institution included blacks, at 44 percent, those with a high school diploma or less, at 44 percent, and people who made $30,000 or less a year, at 48 percent.

Young People Marrying Less and Less

Census data have shown that younger people are marrying less and less, and when they marry, they're generally older.

The median age of when one first gets married is at its highest point ever. For women, it's 26.1 years of age, and for men, it's 28.2.

On top of that, for the first time in half a century, the number of unmarried people between the ages of 25 and 34 outnumbers the number of married people in the same age range.

Experts say that young adults between 18 and 29 are more likely to have an unmarried or divorced parent, and that's made a difference in how they view marriage.

Young people are marrying less often, in part, because they're taking marriage more seriously after watching their own parents divorce or separate from one another.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/marriage-o...ey-shows-changing-attitudes/story?id=12182169

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ETA- It isn't to me.

 

[C.Ann]

Interesting article and video.

Marriage Obsolete?

Pew Study: Americans Marrying Less, and Not For Same Reasons as Ozzie and Harriet

Not only are more marriages on the rocks these days, so is marriage itself, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.

A survey of 2,691 Americans done in association with Time magazine found that nearly four in 10 Americans think marriage is becoming obsolete. That's an 11 percent spike since 1978, when Time asked the same question.

"Marriage is still very important in this country, but it doesn't dominate family life like it used to," Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at John Hopkins University, told the Associated Press.

Younger people are leading the way in redefining what marriage means. Forty-four percent of those between the ages of 18 and 29 saw marriage as obsolete, compared to 32 percent of those 65 and older.

Other groups more likely to see marriage as a fading institution included blacks, at 44 percent, those with a high school diploma or less, at 44 percent, and people who made $30,000 or less a year, at 48 percent.

Young People Marrying Less and Less

Census data have shown that younger people are marrying less and less, and when they marry, they're generally older.

The median age of when one first gets married is at its highest point ever. For women, it's 26.1 years of age, and for men, it's 28.2.

On top of that, for the first time in half a century, the number of unmarried people between the ages of 25 and 34 outnumbers the number of married people in the same age range.

Experts say that young adults between 18 and 29 are more likely to have an unmarried or divorced parent, and that's made a difference in how they view marriage.

Young people are marrying less often, in part, because they're taking marriage more seriously after watching their own parents divorce or separate from one another.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/marriage-o...ey-shows-changing-attitudes/story?id=12182169

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ETA- It isn't to me.

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The portion that I bolded above? Maybe instead of avoiding marriage completely, they should make sure that they're ready for the committment (minus the thought in the back of many peoples minds that, "Oh - if it doesn't work out we can just get a divorce..") and when they do marry, put a little more effort into insuring that it works.. Happy marriages don't just "happen" - it's an ongoing works in progress..

And I agree - I don't think it's going to become obsolete - and I would be very, very sad if it did..

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I understand people becoming disenchanted by the idea of "marriage" with the percent of marriages that end in divorce.

But I don't think it's "obsolete". Just because young people are marrying older doesn't mean marriage is an outdated concept. Especially if you are religious.

 

[mom2rb]

I lived with DH for 4 1/2 years before we were married. We have been married for 14 years. The only difference between the two is the way the government treats us in regards to insurance and taxes.

I did love my wedding, but it didn't feel any different after we were married then it did before.

 

[LukenDC]

This does not surprise me. Divorce has hit our country hard and it's little wonder that the latest generations of adults are leery of marriage after witnessing the divorces of family members and their friends' parents. I find it ironic that marriage rights for same-sex couples is at the forefront of the national social debate, but divorce is rarely spoken of.

 

[wendy46001]

those with a high school diploma or less, at 44 percent, and people who made $30,000 or less a year, at 48 percent.

Snipping this part
lower income families also lose a lot of their benefits when they marry
its a lot more beneficial to co-habitat then make it official when you are receiving any kind of government aid

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My parents are not divorced. I will be married to my dh for almost 20yrs coming this Dec.

However I told my dd's only get married if you want to or want kids. I see nothing wrong with living with someone. I lived with DH for 5yrs before we got married.

 

[punkin]

This does not surprise me. Divorce has hit our country hard and it's little wonder that the latest generations of adults are leery of marriage after witnessing the divorces of family members and their friends' parents. I find it ironic that marriage rights for same-sex couples is at the forefront of the national social debate, but divorce is rarely spoken of.

Well when they get the right to marry, I assume that will come with the right to divorce.

I do not believe marriage is obsolete. I have been married 20 years and am fairly sure that I have been happier in my marriage than I would have been alone. I also believe that raising children is best done in a marriage.

 

[Acklander]

What I think makes a difference is it's more socially acceptable to be single. Back "in the day" a woman was considered a spinster or an old maid if she wasn't married by 30. You were looked down on for having sex (or children) outside of marriage, and women went to college to get their MRS.
Times have changed and so have the view on needing to be married in order to have a family. If I was in my early 20's now, I probably wouldn't choose to get married, but would instead just live with DH.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

My parents have always had an awful marriage and I remember thinking as a child that I never wanted to get married. Dh and I dated for 8 years and I remember worrying that if we got married it might ruin our relationship. The main reason I decided I was ready to get married was because I wanted to have children.

Dh and I celebrated 12 years of marriage this year and have 3 beautiful kids and although it hasn't always been easy, we have a great marriage. I'm glad I took a leap and made the commitment with the person that I did. (I'm also thankful that I took the time to really know my partner before committing. After 8 years, I knew who he was and he knew me so there were no surprises).

I think a pp hit the nail on the head when she noted that people who rely upon public assistance often choose not to get married because they will lose some benefits. It's a really vicious cycle of poverty that is often perpetuated through each generation and it is getting worse.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have no idea whether it is obsolete to lots of folks or not but I don't have any interest in being married and never have. My parents were never divorced either. I just don't have the personality for it and I preferred not to have children.

 

[Colleen27]

I do think marriage is becoming obsolete from a social standpoint. The whole idea of marriage, historically speaking, is mutual dependance and the younger generations in this country have been raised on a model of self-reliance. Marriage isn't needed for two independant, financially self-sufficient people to live together and make an emotional/sexual committment to one another.

 

[luvmy3]

What I think makes a difference is it's more socially acceptable to be single. Back "in the day" a woman was considered a spinster or an old maid if she wasn't married by 30. You were looked down on for having sex (or children) outside of marriage, and women went to college to get their MRS.
Times have changed and so have the view on needing to be married in order to have a family. If I was in my early 20's now, I probably wouldn't choose to get married, but would instead just live with DH.

ITA, and I believe the divorce rate is so high compared to the past because its acceptable to be divorced. There was a time when it wasn't so people would stay married, whether for religious or societal reasons. Even in the 70s a divorced woman was looked down upon, that isn't the case anymore.

 

[Christine]

What I think makes a difference is it's more socially acceptable to be single. Back "in the day" a woman was considered a spinster or an old maid if she wasn't married by 30. You were looked down on for having sex (or children) outside of marriage, and women went to college to get their MRS.
Times have changed and so have the view on needing to be married in order to have a family. If I was in my early 20's now, I probably wouldn't choose to get married, but would instead just live with DH.

This!

Plus I think that with women closing the gap in financial gains, they no longer "need" to be married. That change has happened rather rapidly (over the past 40 years) so women no longer feel the pressure to move from one support system (parents) to another support system (husband). They can be their own support system.

 

[ckay87]

This!

Plus I think that with women closing the gap in financial gains, they no longer "need" to be married. That change has happened rather rapidly (over the past 40 years) so women no longer feel the pressure to move from one support system (parents) to another support system (husband). They can be their own support system.

As it should be. I think this report actually points to a positive trend, where people marry only because they are so in love with a person that they feel the need to be contractually tied to them for the rest of their lives.

 

[daisax]

Snipping this part
lower income families also lose a lot of their benefits when they marry
its a lot more beneficial to co-habitat then make it official when you are receiving any kind of government aid

My grandfather never married his "wife" (despite telling us they were married out of state). Had they legally married, each would have lost the pension from their deceased spouse, and that was the bulk of their retirement money.

That is also still very common in the elderly, who will lose important benefits if they remarry (perhaps less so now that there aren't so many pensions)

 

[eliza61]

I do think marriage is becoming obsolete from a social standpoint. The whole idea of marriage, historically speaking, is mutual dependance and the younger generations in this country have been raised on a model of self-reliance. Marriage isn't needed for two independant, financially self-sufficient people to live together and make an emotional/sexual committment to one another.

Especially for women. As much as I love my dh and being married, I love the fact that girls no longer "have" to be married. It is no longer a social oddity if you are not married or you don't have kids.

I love the fact that there are now lots of ways to be a "family", no one more loving than another.

 

[TDC Nala]

It is no longer a social oddity if you are not married or you don't have kids.

Yeah, it still kind of is, a little. Especially on a Disney message board. I'm asked all the time why I even like Disney stuff.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I have no idea whether it is obsolete to lots of folks or not but I don't have any interest in being married and never have. My parents were never divorced either. I just don't have the personality for it and I preferred not to have children.

It's great that you recognize your interests.

 

[eliza61]

Yeah, it still kind of is, a little. Especially on a Disney message board. I'm asked all the time why I even like Disney stuff.

You've got a point. I can't tell you how many times I've been made to feel like faye dunaway when I say dh & I go to wdw without the kiddies. God forbid you mention you let them do the kids club and go to an adult dinner.